The Peralta School community is committed to the development of the whole child. As an Oakland public school, Peralta’s curriculum framework is based on state standards and district-wide core programs. Our teachers use that framework to build creative classroom communities with high standards for achievement, while recognizing the strengths and needs of each child. As an Alameda County Arts Anchor School, we work to integrate the arts into all aspects of the curriculum. Peralta also pioneered Second Step, a social skills and conflict resolution program now required at all Oakland public schools. We provide a safe, welcoming environment for students to develop high self-esteem, compassion and respect for others, and a love of learning.

Parents and staff also raise funds and receive grants to supplement the curriculum with a range of enrichment programs, including art, Spanish, music, and physical education. These supplemental programs are offered in class during school hours and would not be possible without the generous support of donors to the annual Peralta Fund and other fundraising activities.

Core Programs

Like other Oakland public schools, Peralta uses Open Court Reading, a reading and writing curriculum based on phonemic awareness with coordinated exercises that become more inquiry-based as children advance.  This is supplemented by journal writing, author workshops and other programs.

For science instruction, Peralta students benefit from the Lawrence Hall of Science’s FOSS (Full Option Science System), a hands-on, research-based approach to science education. In recent years Peralta has implemented the award-winning MARE (Marine Activities, Resources and Education also from U.C. Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. This whole-school program allows students to immerse themselves in an an intensive week-long, multi-disciplinary study of the ocean.

Second Step

Central to Peralta’s curriculum is the  Second Step social skills program. Peralta was an early adopter of this program, which is now ingrained in our school culture. Kindergartners through fifth graders all have class time dedicated to Second Step, which teaches all children to solve social problems, get along well with each other, and take responsibility for keeping our campus peaceful and respectful. Second Step lessons cover three main areas: Empathy, anger management, and impulse control.

Our goal is to help every child reach his or her potential as a knowledgeable, caring, responsible citizen who makes contributions to our world and embraces options for his or her growth.

Click here to read about our enrichment programs.